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High Command not seeking to control Police Federation, says Blake

Police Commissioner Dr. Kevin Blake
By Clinton McGregor 
 
Police Commissioner Dr. Kevin Blake has dismissed claims by Opposition Spokesman on National Security Peter Bunting that the High Command is seeking to seize control of the Police Federation, and how it negotiates on behalf of the rank and file members of the police force.
 
Mr. Bunting used the platform of the annual conference of the Police Federation on Tuesday to criticise the Police High Command over its treatment of former Federation chairman, Corporal Rohan James.
 
He accused the High Command of union busting when it interdicted and suspended Corporal James over comments he made against the High Command during a funeral service last year.
 
Corporal James was subsequently removed by the Central Executive and was barred from attending Tuesday's annual conference.
 
In his address to the conference, Commissioner Blake dismissed Mr. Bunting's claims, stating that there is no attempt by the High Command to dictate to the Police Federation how it represents its members.
 
He said the suggestions of discord were "distracting from our core business when we waste time and fight about something that we all agree on and that we all want to see". 
 
"The idea that we have some different agenda, some other agenda, I want you to dispel that, because it's distracting, it is a difficult job. With all things equal and everything is there, it is still difficult, and so we can avoid some of those added obstacles that make the job much more difficult," the commissioner suggested. 
 
He said the force will not be able to implement much-needed strategies if it does not remain united. 
 


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